Alfonzo Dennard proved to be one of the most popular interviews after the Patriots’ first practice of training camp Friday. Unfortunately, it was for all the wrong reasons.

Dennard, a second-year cornerback who is expected to contend for a starting position in the secondary, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence July 11 in Lincoln, Neb. He’s already on probation and will serve 30 days in jail next March for assaulting a police officer in the same city in April 2012.

On Wednesday, Dennard’s hearing on a possible parole violation was rescheduled to Aug. 27, which is two days before the Patriots conclude their preseason with a home game against the New York Giants. He’s due in court Aug. 12 for the DUI arrest.

While it was a major surprise Dennard even met with the media — and he only did so after getting debriefed by a pair of team officials — it came as no shock when he declined to discuss his legal woes.

“I’m not going to talk about that right now,” Dennard, 23, said. “I’m just happy to be back on the field. It’s a great opportunity.”

Asked if he felt like he made a mistake, Dennard responded, “Um, I’m focused on football right now.”

The Patriots opted not to release Dennard after his latest arrest. It was the third major show of support by the team in the past 16 months.

The first came when, just days after his arrest for assault, they drafted Dennard in the seventh round. The University of Nebraska alum had been projected to go as high as the second round.

The second came when coach Bill Belichick wrote a letter of recommendation prior to Dennard’s sentencing on the assault charge in April.

Asked if he felt like he let Belichick down, Dennard said, “I’m still on the team right now, so that’s all I’m worried about right now.”

If not for his latest legal issues, Dennard would be a lock to run with the first team at the start of camp. But with his football future in limbo, the Patriots limited his snaps with the starters while giving him time with the second string.

Dennard, who had 43 tackles, 3 interceptions, 7 passes defensed and a forced fumble in 10 games last season, did say he thought he had an excellent offseason from a football perspective and will be leaning on his teammates for support.

“They bring a lot of focus to my heart,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay humble and go out there and have as much fun as I can.”

Special teams captain Matthew Slater was the latest member of the Patriots to weigh in on the Aaron Hernandez situation, with their former teammate having been charged last month with the first-degree murder of Odin Lloyd.

“I’ve been praying for everyone involved in that situation,” Slater, a devout Christian who keeps a well-worn Bible in his locker, thoughtfully said. “It’s just a tough situation. Your heart obviously goes out to Mr. Lloyd’s family and everybody who has been affected by it.

“I just pray that God brings healing and restoration to everybody who has been affected by that situation. … So I’ll continue to be praying for everybody who has been affected by it, including me and my teammates, and just hope for the best.”

Slater said he hasn’t watched much television coverage of the case and declined to say what his initial reaction was to hearing his former teammate had been implicated in a murder plot. He did confirm he has not reached out to Hernandez.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had back surgery in June to repair a herniated disk, began training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

Belichick offered no timetable on Gronkowski’s return to the practice field.

“I can’t predict what is going to happen with rehabilitations or injuries of any sort,” Belichick said. “Players are day-to-day. As we know, sometimes that’s a steady line, sometimes that’s slow progress and then a big jump. Sometimes it’s a jump, and then it levels off. There’s no way to predict what’s exactly going to happen.”

In May, Gronkowski had a fourth surgery on his left forearm, which he initially broke last November.

Gronkowski can come off the physically unable to perform list any time during training camp. If he begins the regular season on PUP, he would miss the first six games of the year.

Gronkowski underwent back surgery June 18 and was expected to face a 12-week recovery period. The Patriots open the season in Buffalo Sept. 8.

ESPN reported earlier this month that Gronkowski was making progress in his rehab working with Patriots trainers.

A light to moderate windswept rain fell for most of Friday’s practice, during which players wore helmets and T-shirts. Belichick said there was no consideration given to moving the practice inside. “It’s hard to work in that bubble with 90 people,” he said. “It can’t handle a group that size. Sometimes it is what it is, but it’s not something we’re looking to do.” The Patriots announced that 6,390 fans were in attendance. … Much better weather conditions are expected for this morning’s practice, which is scheduled to run from 9 to 11:30. … In addition to Gronkowski, fellow PUPers Julian Edelman (foot), Mark Harrison (foot), Nick McDonald (undisclosed) and Armond Armstead (illness) didn’t practice. Wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (unknown) also was a nonparticipant. Safety Devin McCourty, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, wore a red noncontact jersey, but participated fully.

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